Amitabh Bachchan, on his blog on July 19, 2012, a day after Rajesh Khanna’s demise, recounted that a close associate of Khanna had shared the actor’s final words with him in a choked voice. “Time ho gaya hai, pack up”, Khanna said, before breathing his last on July 18, 2012.
Reflecting on his relationship with India’s first superstar, Amitabh recalled seeing Rajesh Khanna for the first time as the winner of the Filmfare-Madhuri Talent Contest—the same contest for which Amitabh applied the following year but was rejected.
Amitabh’s next encounter with the superstar was watching his film “Aradhana” at the Rivoli Theatre in Connaught Place, New Delhi. “The packed audience and their reactions to this young handsome man were overwhelming,” Amitabh wrote.
Having left a settled job in Calcutta to pursue a career in the film industry, Amitabh confessed in his blog, “But one look at Rajesh Khanna made me realize that with people like him around, there would be little chance of opportunity for me, in this new profession!”
In 1971, Amitabh and Rajesh Khanna were cast together in the film “Anand”. Amitabh reminisced, “It was like a miracle, god’s own blessing, and one that gave me reverse respect; the moment anyone knew I was working with Rajesh Khanna, my importance grew. And I basked in its wake.”
Describing Rajesh Khanna as a “simple and quiet man”, Amitabh recalled, “He would attract many visitors on set and was continuously surrounded by them, Hrishi-da permitting! The frenzy and following he garnered was a sight to behold. In the 1970s, fans came from Spain to meet him, a rare occurrence then.”
“In his boyish simplicity, there was something regal in his demeanor. It was a magnet that attracted others to him, who at times were almost servile in nature,” Amitabh concluded.
In June 2012, it was reported that Rajesh Khanna’s health had been deteriorating for some time. On June 23, he was admitted to Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai due to health complications. Discharged on July 8, he seemed to be fine. However, on July 14, he was readmitted to the hospital and discharged on July 16. Two days later, the actor passed away at his bungalow, Aashirwad, in Mumbai. His health had been declining since July 2011, when he was diagnosed with cancer, a fact revealed by his co-star Mumtaz after his death.
Approximately 9,00,000 people attended Rajesh Khanna’s funeral in Mumbai, leading to police lathi-charge to control the crowd. In a pre-recorded message to his family, friends, and fans, the actor thanked and saluted them for their love and support, sharing how he achieved success without any godfather in the industry.
Rajesh Khanna was married to Dimple Kapadia, and the couple shared two daughters, Twinkle and Rinke Khanna.
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